This message was in my inbox, but apparently was meant to be posted on the forum:

My name is Patricia and I am 57 yrs. old with osteoarthrtis. I read Barbaras book last fall and tried unsuccessfully to get 5 doctors to write a perscription for the alcot test.  Most of them saying that your body changes from day to day in its reactions, others just flat out refused.  I think I was led astray with this book because it didn't really mention the big difference between RA and osteoarthritis.The information started my search though and I did a fast.  But I had done many fasts in the past and always felt better, but never understood how this was working and why.  Then I came upon a Canadian company that sells Alpha nutrition to fast with and read all their articles on how it works, and I realized that I must maintain a non oil vegan diet from the McDougall cookbook and health website.  It has worked very well for the most part.  I have injuries from a car accident that will never go away, but they are managed better.  it wasn't so much the food.  I needed to. do yoga more often too and get in a pool.  McDougall emphasizes some grains that work better and beans with fruits ans veges, and if you get reaction to cut out wheat and corn as well.  Otherwise he restricts meat, fish, dairy, some oils,coffee, teas, eggs and with that diet your body will settle down over so many weeks time and there really is no need for alcat testing.